System and method for aligning electron beams in multi-beam inspection apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved charged particle beam inspection apparatus, and more particularly, a particle beam inspection apparatus including an improved alignment mechanism is disclosed. An improved charged particle beam inspection apparatus may include a second electron detection device to generate one or more images of one or more beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams during the alignment mode. The beam spot image may be used to determine the alignment characteristics of one or more of the plurality of secondary electron beams and adjust a configuration of a secondary electron projection system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. application 62/748,251 whichwas filed on Oct. 19, 2018, and which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

FIELD

The embodiments provided herein disclose a particle beam inspectionapparatus, and more particularly, a particle beam inspection apparatusincluding an improved alignment mechanism.

BACKGROUND

When manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) chips, patterndefects or uninvited particles (residuals) inevitably appear on a waferor a mask during fabrication processes, thereby reducing the yield. Forexample, uninvited particles may be troublesome for patterns withsmaller critical feature dimensions, which have been adopted to meet theincreasingly more advanced performance requirements of IC chips.

Pattern inspection tools with a charged particle beam have been used todetect the defects or uninvited particles. These tools typically employa scanning electron microscope (SEM). In a SEM, a beam of primaryelectrons having a relatively high energy is decelerated to land on asample at a relatively low landing energy and is focused to form a probespot thereon. Due to this focused probe spot of primary electrons,secondary electrons will be generated from the surface. The secondaryelectrons may comprise backscattered electrons, secondary electrons, orAuger electrons, resulting from the interactions of the primaryelectrons with the sample. By scanning the probe spot over the samplesurface and collecting the secondary electrons, pattern inspection toolsmay obtain an image of the sample surface.

SUMMARY

The embodiments provided herein disclose a particle beam inspectionapparatus, and more particularly, a particle beam inspection apparatusincluding an improved alignment mechanism.

In some embodiments, the charged particle beam apparatus for inspectinga wafer may include a first electron detection device and a secondelectron detection device. The first electron detection device maydetect a plurality of secondary electron beams for inspection of thewafer. The second electron detection device may generate one or moreimages of one or more beam spots of the plurality of secondary electronbeams and may be configured to be used to determine an alignmentcharacteristic associated with the first electron detection device.

In some embodiments, a method of inspecting a wafer using the chargedparticle beam system is provided. The charged particle system mayinclude a secondary projection system to project a plurality ofsecondary electron beams onto a detection surface of a first electrondetection device. The method may include generating one or more imagesof one or more beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beamsusing a second electron detection device. The method may also includedetermining an alignment characteristic associated with the firstelectron detection device based on the one or more images of the one ormore beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become moreapparent from the description of exemplary embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary chargedparticle beam inspection system, consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary electron beamtool, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary electron imagingdevice using an electron-to-light converter, consistent with embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are schematic diagrams illustrating anexemplary multi-beam electron beam tool, consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D are schematic diagrams illustrating anexemplary multi-beam electron beam tool, consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are schematic diagrams illustrating anexemplary multi-beam electron beam tool, consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplarymulti-beam electron beam tool, consistent with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating steps of an exemplary alignmentoperation using an embodiment of the multi-beam electron beam tool,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The followingdescription refers to the accompanying drawings in which the samenumbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elementsunless otherwise represented. The implementations set forth in thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments do not represent allimplementations consistent with the invention. Instead, they are merelyexamples of apparatuses and methods consistent with aspects related tothe invention as recited in the appended claims.

The enhanced computing power of electronic devices, while reducing thephysical size of the devices, can be accomplished by significantlyincreasing the packing density of circuit components such astransistors, capacitors, diodes, etc. on an IC chip. For example, an ICchip of a smart phone, which is the size of a thumbnail, may includeover 2 billion transistors, the size of each transistor being less than1/1000th of a human hair. Thus, it is not surprising that semiconductorIC manufacturing is a complex and time-consuming process, with hundredsof individual steps. Errors in even one step have the potential todramatically affect the functioning of the final product. Even one“killer defect” can cause device failure. The goal of the manufacturingprocess is to improve the overall yield of the process. For example, fora 50-step process to get to a 75% yield, each individual step must havea yield greater than 99.4%, and if the individual step yield is 95%, theoverall process yield drops to 7%.

While high process yield is desirable in an IC chip manufacturingfacility, maintaining a high wafer throughput, defined as the number ofwafers processed per hour, is also essential. High process yield andhigh wafer throughput can be impacted by the presence of defects,especially if operator intervention is required for reviewing thedefects. Thus, high throughput detection and identification of micro andnano-sized defects by inspection tools (such as a SEM) is essential formaintaining high yield and low cost.

A SEM scans the surface of a wafer with a focused beam of electrons. Theelectrons interact with the wafer and generate secondary electrons. Byscanning the wafer with an electron beam and capturing the secondaryelectrons with a detector, a SEM creates an image of the wafer thatshows the internal device structure in the area of the wafer beinginspected.

For high throughput inspection, some of the newer inspection systems usemultiple electron beams. As multiple electron beams can scan differentparts of wafer at the same time, multi-beam electron inspection systemcan inspect a wafer at much higher speed than a single-beam system.However, a conventional multi-beam inspection system can suffer lowinspection accuracy due to the cross-talk between adjacent electronbeams One of the main sources of the cross-talk is misalignments amongdifferent parts of the inspection systems with respect to the paths thatthe electron beams travel. For example, a detector capturing thesecondary electron beams should be properly aligned with lenses thatcontrol the alignment characteristics (such as focusing and positions)of secondary electron beams associated with the detector; otherwise, asecondary electron beam can interfere with the detection of an adjacentsecondary electron beam.

One aspect of the present disclosure includes an electron beam imageviewer that can produce images of the multiple secondary electron beams.These images can be used to determine how well the electron opticalelements (such as lenses, beam separator and the electron detector) inthe inspection system are aligned, and determine whether any adjustmentto one or more of the electron optical elements is required. The imagescan further be used to determine a quality of focus of the secondaryelectron beams, such as whether the secondary electron beams will formspots on the detectors of the desired size, shape, position, etc., anddetermine whether any adjustment is required. These determinations oradjustments can be conducted by a computer inside of the multi-beaminspection system or can be done by an operator who can visually inspectthe images of secondary electron beams.

Relative dimensions of components in drawings may be exaggerated forclarity. Within the following description of drawings the same or likereference numbers refer to the same or like components or entities, andonly the differences with respect to the individual embodiments aredescribed. As used herein, unless specifically stated otherwise, theterm “or” encompasses all possible combinations, except whereinfeasible. For example, if it is stated that a database can include Aor B, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, thedatabase can include A, or B, or A and B. As a second example, if it isstated that a database can include A, B, or C, then, unless specificallystated otherwise or infeasible, the database can include A, or B, or C,or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1A, which is a schematic diagramillustrating an exemplary charged particle beam inspection system 100,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.1A, charged particle beam inspection system 100 includes a main chamber10, a load lock chamber 20, an electron beam tool 40, and an equipmentfront end module (EFEM) 30. Electron beam tool 40 is located within mainchamber 10. While the description and drawings are directed to anelectron beam, it is appreciated that the embodiments are not used tolimit the present disclosure to specific charged particles.

EFEM 30 includes a first loading port 30 a and a second loading port 30b. EFEM 30 may include additional loading port(s). First loading port 30a and second loading port 30 b may, for example, receive wafer frontopening unified pods (FOUPs) that contain wafers (e.g., semiconductorwafers or wafers made of other material(s)) or samples to be inspected(wafers and samples are collectively referred to as “wafers” hereafter).One or more robot arms (not shown) in EFEM 30 transport the wafers toload lock chamber 20.

Load lock chamber 20 may be connected to a load lock vacuum pump system(not shown), which removes gas molecules in load lock chamber 20 toreach a first pressure below the atmospheric pressure. After reachingthe first pressure, one or more robot arms (not shown) transport thewafer from load lock chamber 20 to main chamber 10. Main chamber 10 isconnected to a main chamber vacuum pump system (not shown), whichremoves gas molecules in main chamber 10 to reach a second pressurebelow the first pressure. After reaching the second pressure, the waferis subject to inspection by electron beam tool 40. In some embodiments,electron beam tool 40 may comprise a single-beam electron inspectiontool. In other embodiments, electron beam tool 40 may comprise amulti-beam electron inspection tool.

A controller 50 is electronically connected to electron beam tool 40.Controller 50 may be a computer configured to execute various controlsof charged particle beam inspection system 100. Controller 50 may alsoinclude a processing circuitry configured to execute various signal andimage processing functions. While controller 50 is shown in FIG. 1A asbeing outside of the structure that includes main chamber 10, load lockchamber 20, and EFEM 30, it is appreciated that controller 50 may bepart of the structure. While the present disclosure provides examples ofmain chamber 10 housing an electron beam inspection tool, it should benoted that aspects of the disclosure in their broadest sense are notlimited to a chamber housing an electron beam inspection tool. Rather,it is appreciated that the foregoing principles may also be applied toother tools that operate under the second pressure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1B, which is a schematic diagramillustrating an exemplary electron beam tool 40 including a multi-beamelectron inspection tool that is part of the exemplary charged particlebeam inspection system 100 of FIG. 1A, consistent with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Multi-beam electron beam tool 40 (also referredto herein as apparatus 40) comprises an electron source 101, a gunaperture plate 171, a condenser lens 110, a source conversion unit 120,a primary projection optical system 130, a sample 108, a secondaryprojection system 150, a first electron detection device 140, and asecond electron detection device 190. Primary projection optical system130 may comprise an objective lens 131. Electron detection device 140may comprise a plurality of detection elements 141, 142, and 143. A beamseparator 133 and a deflection scanning unit 132 may be positionedinside primary projection optical system 130.

Electron source 101, gun aperture plate 171, condenser lens 110, sourceconversion unit 120, beam separator 133, deflection scanning unit 132,and primary projection optical system 130 may be aligned with a primaryoptical axis 104 of apparatus 40. Secondary projection system 150 andelectron detection device 140 may be aligned with a secondary opticalaxis 151 of apparatus 40.

Electron source 101 may comprise a cathode (not shown) and an extractoror anode (not shown), in which, during operation, electron source 101 isconfigured to emit primary electrons from the cathode and the primaryelectrons are extracted or accelerated by the extractor and/or the anodeto form a primary electron beam 102 that forms a primary beam crossover(virtual or real) 103. Primary electron beam 102 may be visualized asbeing emitted from primary beam crossover 103.

Source conversion unit 120 may comprise an image-forming element array(not shown), a field curvature compensator array (not shown), anastigmatism compensator array (not shown), and a beam-limit aperturearray (not shown). The image-forming element array may comprise aplurality of micro-deflectors or micro-lenses to influence a pluralityof primary beamlets 111, 112, 113 of primary electron beam 102 and toform a plurality of parallel images (virtual or real) of primary beamcrossover 103, one for each of the primary beamlets 111, 112, and 113.The field curvature compensator array may comprise a plurality ofmicro-lenses to compensate field curvature aberrations of the primarybeamlets 111, 112, and 113. The astigmatism compensator array maycomprise a plurality of micro-stigmators to compensate astigmatismaberrations of the primary beamlets 111, 112, and 113. The beam-limitaperture array may be configured to limit diameters of individualprimary beamlets 111, 112, and 113. FIG. 1B shows three primary beamlets111, 112, and 113 as an example, and it is appreciated that sourceconversion unit 120 may be configured to form any number of primarybeamlets. Controller 50 may be connected to various parts of chargedparticle beam inspection system 100 of FIG. 1A, such as first electrondetection device 140, secondary electron detection device 190, orsecondary projection system 150. In some embodiments, as explained infurther details below, controller 50 may perform various image andsignal processing functions. Controller 50 may also generate variouscontrol signals to govern operations of charged particle beam inspectionsystem 100.

Condenser lens 110 is configured to focus primary electron beam 102.Condenser lens 110 may further be configured to adjust electric currentsof primary beamlets 111, 112, and 113 downstream of source conversionunit 120 by varying the focusing power of condenser lens 110.Alternatively, the electric currents may be changed by altering theradial sizes of beam-limit apertures within the beam-limit aperturearray corresponding to the individual primary beamlets. The electriccurrents may be changed by both altering the radial sizes of beam-limitapertures and the focusing power of condenser lens 110. Condenser lens110 may be a movable condenser lens that may be configured so that theposition of its first principle plane is movable. The movable condenserlens may be configured to be magnetic, which may result in off-axisbeamlets 112 and 113 landing on a beamlet-limit mechanism with rotationangles. The rotation angles change with the focusing power and theposition of the first principal plane of the movable condenser lens. Insome embodiments, the movable condenser lens may be a movableanti-rotation condenser lens, which involves an anti-rotation lens witha movable first principal plane.

Objective lens 131 may be configured to focus beamlets 111, 112, and 113onto a sample 108 for inspection and may form, in the currentembodiments, three probe spots 121, 122, and 123 on the surface ofsample 108. Gun aperture plate 171, in operation, is configured to blockoff peripheral electrons of primary electron beam 102 to reduce Coulombeffect. The Coulomb effect may enlarge the size of each of probe spots121, 122, and 123 of primary beamlets 111, 112, 113, and thereforedeteriorate inspection resolution.

Beam separator 133 may, for example, be a Wien filter comprising anelectrostatic deflector generating an electrostatic dipole field and amagnetic dipole field (not shown in FIG. 1B). In operation, beamseparator 133 may be configured to exert an electrostatic force byelectrostatic dipole field on individual electrons of primary beamlets111, 112, and 113. The electrostatic force is equal in magnitude butopposite in direction to the magnetic force exerted by magnetic dipolefield of beam separator 133 on the individual electrons. Primarybeamlets 111, 112, and 113 may therefore pass at least substantiallystraight through beam separator 133 with at least substantially zerodeflection angles.

Deflection scanning unit 132, in operation, is configured to deflectprimary beamlets 111, 112, and 113 to scan probe spots 121, 122, and 123across individual scanning areas in a section of the surface of sample108. In response to incidence of primary beamlets 111, 112, and 113 atprobe spots 121, 122, and 123, electrons emerge from sample 108 andgenerate three secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163. Each ofsecondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163 typically comprise electronshaving different energies including secondary electrons (having electronenergy ≤50 eV) and backscattered electrons (having electron energybetween 50 eV and the landing energy of primary beamlets 111, 112, and113). Beam separator 133 is configured to deflect secondary electronbeams 161, 162, and 163 towards secondary projection system 150.Secondary projection system 150 subsequently focuses secondary electronbeams 161, 162, and 163 onto detection elements 141, 142, and 143 ofelectron detection device 140. Detection elements 141, 142, and 143 arearranged to detect corresponding secondary electron beams 161, 162, and163 and generate corresponding signals which are sent to signalprocessing system (not shown), e.g. to construct images of thecorresponding scanned areas of sample 108.

In some embodiments, detection elements 141, 142, and 143 detectcorresponding secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163, respectively,and generate corresponding intensity signal outputs (not shown) to animage processing system (e.g., controller 50). In some embodiments, eachdetection element 141, 142, and 143 may comprise one or more pixels. Theintensity signal output of a detection element may be a sum of signalsgenerated by all the pixels within the detection element.

For a multi-beam system, cross-talk in the output signals from adjacentbeams may be caused by the effects of aberration in secondary projectionsystem 150 or deflection accuracy of secondary electron beams in beamseparator 133. Multiple factors may cause the aberration or dispersion.For example, beam separator 133, which changes the direction ofsecondary electron beams towards a detector, may deflect secondaryelectron beams 161, 162, and 163 in inaccurate angles. Also, electrondetection device 140 or secondary projection system 150 may beimproperly aligned with secondary optical axis 151. When thesemisalignments exist, secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163 maysuffer unwanted aberrations, magnification errors, or rotation angleerrors, thereby resulting in malformed shape, position, or excessiveenlargements or beam spots, which in turn may cause overlaps andcross-talk between adjacent beams. Therefore, in a multi-beam waferinspection system, such as multi-beam electron beam tool 40 shown inFIG. 1B, reducing these misalignments is important to obtain accuratereconstruction of images of a sample (e.g., wafer) for inspection.

In some embodiments, an electron image viewer, such as second electrondetection device 190, may be used to examine the shapes and positions ofsecondary electron beam spots and determine alignment characteristics ofsecondary electron beams, such as whether misalignments exist in thesecondary electron projection path (including beam separator 133 andsecondary projection system 150) and by how much, or whether thesecondary electron beams are sufficiently focused to form the desiredbeam spot sizes, shapes, positions, etc.

In some embodiments, multi-beam electron beam tool 40 may implement twodifferent operating modes, such as an inspection mode and an alignmentmode. During the inspection mode, secondary electron beams 161, 162, and163 may be directed to first electron detection device 140, which thengenerates image signals based on the received secondary electron beams.And then, controller 50 may produce images of sample 108 based on theimage signals from first electron detection device 140.

During the alignment mode, secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163may be directed to second electron detection device 190. Second electrondetection device 190 may produce images of one or more beam spots of thesecondary electron beams on the surface of the detection device. Theseimages of beam spots may then be used to determine the alignmentcharacteristics of the secondary electron beams associated with thefirst electron detection device 140, which may be influenced by thealignments of secondary projection system 150 itself or the alignmentsof the secondary electron beams with respect to secondary projectionsystem 150.

In some embodiments, controller 50 may include signal processingcircuitry to perform the beam boundary determination and beam intensitydetermination in real-time based on the beam spot images generated bysecond electron detection device 190 during the alignment mode. Thehigh-speed real-time processor can provide information about howsecondary projection system 150 and beam separator 133 are performing inreal-time so that any performance deviation (for example, shape andposition of each beam, geometric formation of the electron beam grids,unexpected movements of part or all of the beams due to the imperfectionof components manufacturing and assembling, drift during long termoperation) can be detected and addressed. In some embodiments,controller 50 may automatically adjust a configuration of secondaryprojection system 150 to calibrate images of secondary electron beams161, 162, and 163.

In some embodiments, controller 50 may comprise image processing systemthat includes an image acquirer (not shown), a storage (not shown). Theimage acquirer may comprise one or more processors. For example, theimage acquirer may comprise a computer, server, mainframe host,terminals, personal computer, any kind of mobile computing devices, andthe like, or a combination thereof. The image acquirer may becommunicatively coupled to electron detection device 140 of apparatus 40through a medium such as an electrical conductor, optical fiber cable,portable storage media, IR, Bluetooth, internet, wireless network,wireless radio, among others, or a combination thereof. In someembodiments, the image acquirer may receive a signal from electrondetection device 140 and may construct an image. The image acquirer maythus acquire images of sample 108. The image acquirer may also performvarious post-processing functions, such as generating contours,superimposing indicators on an acquired image, and the like. The imageacquirer may be configured to perform adjustments of brightness andcontrast, etc. of acquired images. In some embodiments, the storage maybe a storage medium such as a hard disk, flash drive, cloud storage,random access memory (RAM), other types of computer readable memory, andthe like. The storage may be coupled with the image acquirer and may beused for saving scanned raw image data as original images, andpost-processed images.

In some embodiments, the image acquirer may acquire one or more imagesof a sample based on an imaging signal received from electron detectiondevice 140. An imaging signal may correspond to a scanning operation forconducting charged particle imaging. An acquired image may be a singleimage comprising a plurality of imaging areas. The single image may bestored in the storage. The single image may be an original image thatmay be divided into a plurality of regions. Each of the regions maycomprise one imaging area containing a feature of sample 108. Theacquired images may comprise multiple images of a single imaging area ofsample 108 sampled multiple times over a time sequence. The multipleimages may be stored in the storage. In some embodiments, controller maybe configured to perform image processing steps with the multiple imagesof the same location of sample 108.

In some embodiments, controller 50 may include measurement circuitries(e.g., analog-to-digital converters) to obtain a distribution of thedetected secondary electrons. The electron distribution data collectedduring a detection time window, in combination with corresponding scanpath data of primary electron beam 102 incident on the wafer surface,can be used to reconstruct images of the wafer structures underinspection. The reconstructed images can be used to reveal variousfeatures of the internal or external structures of sample 108, andthereby can be used to reveal any defects that may exist in the wafer.

Although FIG. 1B shows that apparatus 40 uses three primary electronbeams, it is appreciated that apparatus 40 may use any number of primaryelectron beams. The present disclosure does not limit the number ofprimary electron beams used in apparatus 40.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 , which is a schematic diagramillustrating an exemplary electron imaging device 200 with anelectron-to-light converter, consistent with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Electron imaging device 200 may comprise anelectron-to-light converter 210 and an optical imaging device, such asan optical camera 220, among others. Electron-to-light converter mayconvert incoming electron beams 241, 242, and 243, to light beams 251,252, and 253. In some embodiments, electron-to-light converter 210 maycomprise a scintillator, or any other device or materials that aresuitable for converting electrons to photons. When struck by incomingelectron beams 241, 242, and 243, electron-to-light converter 210absorbs the energy of the electron beams and re-emits the absorbedenergy in the form of photons (e.g., light beams 251, 252, and 253).

Optical camera 220 may comprise an optical lens 221 and an image sensor222. Optical lens may focus light beams 251, 252, and 253 onto thesurface of image sensor 222. When it receives the focused light beams251, 252, and 253, image sensor 222 may generate correspondingelectrical signals. In some embodiments, an image processing system(such as controller 50 of FIG. 1B) may produce images of electron beams241, 242, and 243 based on the electrical signals generated by imagesensor 222. In some embodiments, image sensor 222 may comprise acharge-coupled device (CCD) sensor, a complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or any other device suitable togenerate electrical signals in response to incoming lights.

In some embodiments, electron imaging device 200 may be used as electronimage viewer for alignment, such as second electron detection device 190in FIG. 1B.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, which are schematicdiagrams illustrating an exemplary multi-beam electron beam tool,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, a multi-beam electron beam tool (such as electron beam tool40 in FIG. 1B) may include a secondary projection system 150 (similar tosecondary projection system 150 in FIG. 1B), a first electron detectiondevice 140 (similar to first electron detection device 140 in FIG. 1B),and a movable second electron detection device 301 (similar to secondelectron detection device in FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, movablesecond electron detection device 301 may be configured to move relativeto first electron detection device 140 in a direction which, in someembodiments, may be substantially perpendicular to secondary opticalaxis 151. In some embodiments, the detection surface of first electrondetection device 140 and the detection surface of movable secondelectron detection device 301 may be parallel.

FIG. 3A shows the multi-beam electron beam tool during the inspectionmode. When the tool is in the inspection mode, movable second electrondetection device 301 may be moved out of the paths of secondary electronbeams 161 i, 162 i, and 163 i (as shown in more details in FIG. 3C andFIG. 3D, focused onto detection surface 144 of first electron detectiondevice 140), and therefore allow first electron detection device 140 toreceive secondary electron beams 161 i, 162 i, and 163 i for inspection.

FIG. 3B shows the multi-beam electron beam tool during the alignmentmode. When the tool is in the alignment mode, movable second electrondetection device 301 may be moved in and positioned between secondaryprojection system 150 and first electron detection device 140, andtherefore intercept secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163 (as shownin more details in FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D, focused onto detection surface311 of movable second electron detection device 310 or 340). In someembodiments, movable second electron detection device 301 may convertthe intercepted secondary electron beams to light beams 361, 362, and363.

In some embodiments, movable second electron detection device 301 maycomprise an electron imaging device using an electron-to-light converter(such as electron imaging device 200 shown in FIG. 2 ). FIG. 3C showsthe internal schematic of an exemplary movable second electron detectiondevice 301. In such embodiments, movable second electron detectiondevice 301 may comprise a movable conversion-directing device 302 and anoptical camera 320. Movable conversion-directing device 302 may comprisean electron-to-light converter 310 and a mirror 330. Electron-to-lightconverter 310 may convert incoming secondary electron beams 161, 162,and 163, to light beams 361, 362, and 363. As explained with regard toFIG. 2 above, in some embodiments, electron-to-light converter 310 maycomprise a scintillator, or any other device or materials that aresuitable for converting electron to photons.

In such embodiments, movable conversion-directing device 302 may beconfigured to move relative to first electron detection device 140 in adirection which, in some embodiments, may be substantially perpendicularto secondary optical axis 151. In such embodiments, during theinspection mode, movable conversion-directing device 302 may be movedout of the paths of secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163, andtherefore allow first electron detection device 140 to receive secondaryelectron beams 161 i, 162 i, and 163 i for inspection. During thealignment mode, movable conversion-directing device 302 may be moved inand positioned between secondary projection system (not shown in FIG.3C) and first electron detection device 140 to intercept secondaryelectron beams 161, 162, and 163. When receiving electron beams, movableconversion-directing device 302 may convert the electron beams to lightbeams 361, 362, and 363, and then direct those light beams towardsoptical camera 320 with mirror 330.

In some embodiments, only movable conversion-directing device 302 may beconfigured to move. In other embodiments, movable second electrondetection device 301, which includes a conversion-directing device, maybe configured to move relative to first electron detection device 140.

In some embodiments, optical camera 320 may comprise an optical lens 321and an image sensor 322. Optical lens 321 may focus the directed lightbeams 361, 362, and 363 onto the surface of image sensor 322. Whenreceiving the focused light beams 361, 362, and 363, image sensor 322may generate corresponding electrical signals. In some embodiments, animage processing system (such as one in controller 50 of FIG. 1B) mayprocess the electric signals and produce images of electron beams 161,162, and 163 based on the electrical signals from image sensor 322. Insome embodiments, image sensor 322 may comprise a charge-coupled device(CCD) sensor, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor,or any other device suitable to generate electrical signals in responseto incoming lights.

In some embodiments, movable second electron detection device 301 maynot include mirror 330. Instead, optical camera 320 may be placed inline with electron-to-light converter 310 (like electron imaging device200 shown in FIG. 2 ). However, as shown in FIG. 3C, using mirror 330may allow electron-to-light converter 310 to be placed closer to firstelectron detection device 140 during alignment mode, so that images ofsecondary electron beam spots captured during the alignment mode mayclosely represent the alignment characteristics of secondary electronbeams 161, 162, and 163 in association with first electron detectiondevice 140.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3D, movable second electrondetection device 301 may include a direct detection device (DDD) 340.During the alignment mode, direct detection device 340 may detectdirectly secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163, and thereforeelectron-to-light conversion step may be omitted. During the inspectionmode, direct detection device 340 may be moved out of the paths ofsecondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163, and therefore allow firstelectron detection device 140 to receive secondary electron beams 161 i,162 i, and 163 i for inspection. Direct detection device 340, in someembodiments, may include one or more CMOS sensors configured to directlydetect secondary electron beams and generate a corresponding electricsignal.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, which are schematicdiagrams illustrating an exemplary multi-beam electron beam tool,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, a multi-beam electron beam tool (such as electron beam tool40 in FIG. 1B) may include a secondary projection system 150 (similar tosecondary projection system 150 in FIG. 1B), a movable first electrondetection device 140 (similar to first electron detection device in FIG.1B), and a second electron detection device 401 (similar to secondelectron detection device 190 in FIG. 1B). In such embodiments, movablefirst electron detection device 140 may be configured to move relativeto second electron detection device 401 in a direction which, in someembodiments, may be substantially perpendicular to secondary opticalaxis 151. In some embodiments, the detection surface of movable firstelectron detection device 140 and the detection surface of secondelectron detection device 401 may be parallel.

FIG. 4A shows the multi-beam electron beam tool during the alignmentmode. When the tool is in the alignment mode, movable first electrondetection device 140 may be moved out of the paths of secondary electronbeams 161, 162, and 163, and therefore allow second electron detectiondevice to receive secondary electron beams 161 a, 162 a, and 163 a (asshown in more details in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D, focused onto detectionsurface 411 of second electron detection device 410 or 440) foralignment.

FIG. 4B shows the multi-beam electron beam tool during the inspectionmode. When the tool is in the inspection mode, movable first electrondetection device 140 may be moved in and positioned between secondaryprojection system 150 and second electron detection device 401, andtherefore movable first electron detection device 140 receives secondaryelectron beams 161, 162, and (as shown in more details in FIG. 4C andFIG. 4D, focused onto detection surface 144 of movable first electrondetection device 140) for inspection.

FIG. 4C shows second electron detection device 401 comprising anelectron-to-light converter-based imaging device (such as electronimaging device 200 in FIG. 2 ). In some embodiments, second electrondetection device 401 may comprise an electron-to-light converter 410 andan optical camera 420. Electron-to-light converter 410 may convertincoming secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163 to light beams 461,462, and 463. Optical camera 420 may comprise an optical lens 421 and animage sensor 422. Image sensor 422 may detect light beams 461, 462, and463. As described with regard to FIG. 3C, second electron detectiondevice 401 may detect incoming secondary electron beams 161, 162, and163 and generate electrical signals to produce one or more images ofbeam spots of the incoming secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163.Although FIG. 4C shows second electron detection device 401 without amirror, a second electron detection device with a mirror (such asmovable second electron detection device 301 in FIG. 3C) may also beused in such embodiments.

FIG. 4D shows second electron detection device 401 comprising a directdetection device (DDD) 440. Direct detection device 440 may detectdirectly secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163, and thereforeelectron-to-light conversion step may be omitted. Direct detectiondevice 440, in some embodiments, may include one or more CMOS sensorsconfigured to directly detect secondary electron beams and generate acorresponding electric signal.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A, and 5B, which are schematic diagramsillustrating an exemplary multi-beam electron beam tool, consistent withembodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a multi-beamelectron beam tool may comprise a movable first electron detectiondevice 140 and a movable second electron detection device 501 positionedside-by-side. In such embodiments, first electron detection device 140and second electron detection device 501 may be configured to movetogether in a direction which, in some embodiments, may be substantiallyperpendicular to secondary optical axis 151. In such embodiments, duringthe inspection mode (as shown in FIG. 5A), both electron detectiondevices may move in a first direction (e.g., to the right in FIG. 5A) sothat first electron detection device 140 may be positioned to receivesecondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163. During the alignment mode(as shown in FIG. 5B), both electron detection devices may move in asecond direction (e.g., to the left in FIG. 5B) so that second electrondetection device 501 may receive secondary electron beams 161, 162, and163. In some embodiments, the detection surface of first electrondetection device 140 and the detection surface of second electrondetection device 501 may be parallel.

As explained with regard to previous embodiments above, in someembodiments, second electron detection device 501 may comprise anelectron-to-light converter-based imaging device (such as secondelectron detection device 301 in FIG. 3C or second electron detectiondevice 401 in FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, second electron detectiondevice 501 may comprise a direct detection device (such as secondelectron detection device 301 in FIG. 3D or second electron detectiondevice in FIG. 4D).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5C, and 5D, which are schematic diagramsillustrating an exemplary multi-beam electron beam tool, consistent withembodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, a multi-beamelectron beam tool may comprise a rotatable first electron detectiondevice 140 and a rotatable second electron detection device 501positioned side-by-side. In such embodiments, first electron detectiondevice 140 and second electron detection device 501 may be configured torotate together around a rotation axis 550 clockwise orcounter-clockwise to align rotatable first electron detection device 140or rotatable second electron detection device 501 to detect secondaryelectron beams during the inspection mode or the alignment mode,respectively. In such embodiments, during the inspection mode (as shownin FIG. 5C), both electron detection devices may rotate so that firstelectron detection device 140 is positioned to receive secondaryelectron beams 161, 162, and 163 for inspection. During the alignmentmode (as shown in FIG. 5D), both electron detection devices may rotate180-degree from the positions in the inspection mode so that secondelectron detection device 501 receives secondary electron beams 161,162, and 163. In some embodiments, the detection surface of firstelectron detection device 140 and the detection surface of secondelectron detection device 501 may be parallel.

As explained with regard to previous embodiments above, in someembodiments, second electron detection device 501 may comprise anelectron-to-light converter-based imaging device (such as movable secondelectron detection device 301 in FIG. 3C or second electron detectiondevice 401 in FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, second electron detectiondevice 501 may comprise a direct detection device (such as movablesecond electron detection device 301 in FIG. 3D or second electrondetection device 401 in FIG. 4D).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, which are schematicdiagrams illustrating an exemplary multi-beam electron beam tool,consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiments, a multi-beam electron beam tool may comprise a firstelectron detection device and a second electron detection device 601positioned side-by-side as shown in FIG. 6A. In such embodiments, adeflector 691 may be used to direct secondary electron beams 161, 162,and 163 towards second electron detection device 601 during thealignment mode as shown as secondary electron beams 161 a, 162 a, and163 a. On the other hand, during the inspection mode, deflector 691 maybe disabled so that secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163 maytravel straight to first electron detection device 140 for inspection asshown as secondary electron beams 161 i, 162 i, and 163 i. In someembodiments, the detection surface of first electron detection device140 and the detection surface of second electron detection device 601may be parallel.

In some embodiments, more than one deflector may be used to change thedirection of the secondary electron beams during the alignment mode. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C, a multi-beam electron beamtool may comprise a first deflector (deflector 691) and a seconddeflector (deflector 692). During the alignment mode, first deflector691 may be enabled to direct secondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163towards second electron detection device 601, as shown as secondaryelectron beams 161 a, 162 a, and 163 a, and second deflector 692 may bealso enabled to compensate the deflection aberrations caused by firstdeflector 691 so that second electron detection device 601 can detectsecondary electron beams 161 a, 162 a, and 163 a with low aberrations.In some embodiments, the detection surface of first electron detectiondevice 140 and the detection surface of second electron detection device601 may be parallel.

The position of second deflector 692 may be flexible. In someembodiments, first electron detection device 140 and a second electrondetection device 601 may be located close to each other, which provideshigher resemblance between images captured during the inspection modeand images captured during the alignment mode. In such a case, thesecond electron beam paths during the inspection mode and the alignmentmode may be substantially close each other. As a result, there may be noroom to place second deflector 692 between the two sets of paths. Insuch a case, as shown in FIG. 6C, second deflector 692 may be positionedfurther away to enclose the both sets of beam paths, so that firstelectron detection device 140 and a second electron detection device 601can be located substantially close to each other.

As explained with regard to previous embodiments above, in someembodiments, second electron detection device 601 may comprise anelectron-to-light converter-based imaging device (such as movable secondelectron detection device 301 in FIG. 3C or second electron detectiondevice 401 in FIG. 4C). In some embodiments, second electron detectiondevice 601 may comprise a direct detection device (such as movablesecond electron detection device 301 in FIG. 3D or second electrondetection device 401 in FIG. 4D).

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 , which is a flow chart illustratingsteps of an exemplary alignment operation using an embodiment of theelectron beam tool, consistent with embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The method may be performed by a multi-beam electron beamtool (such as electron beam tool 40 of FIG. 1B).

In step 710, the multi-beam electron beam tool determines if analignment mode is enabled. In some embodiments, the multi-beam electronbeam tool may implement two different operating modes, such as aninspection mode and an alignment mode. During the inspection mode, afirst electron detection device (such as electron detection device 140of FIGS. 3A and 3B) may receive secondary electron beams (such assecondary electron beams 161, 162, and 163 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) forinspection. During the alignment mode, a second electron detectiondevice (such as movable second electron detection device 301 of FIGS. 3Aand 3B) may receive the secondary electron beams. The second electrondetection device may be used to examine the shapes and positions ofsecondary electron beam spots and determine alignment characteristics ofsecondary electron beams, e.g., whether misalignments exist in thesecondary electron projection path and by how much. The misalignments,which may degrade the quality of produced images of sample, may becaused by multiple reasons. For example, a beam separator (such as beamseparator 133 in FIG. 1B) may deflect the secondary electron beams ininaccurate angles. Also, a secondary projection system (secondaryprojection system 150 in FIGS. 1B, 3A, and 3B) may be improperly alignedwith a secondary optical axis (such as secondary optical axis 151 inFIGS. 1B, 3A, and 3B). Furthermore, the electron detection device may beimproperly aligned with the secondary optical axis. When thesemisalignments exist, secondary electron beams may suffer unwantedaberrations, magnification errors, or rotation angle errors, therebyresulting in malformed shapes, positions, or excessive enlargements orbeam spots, which in turn may cause overlaps and cross-talk betweenadjacent beams.

In step 720, the multi-beam electron beam tool positions the secondelectron detection device in line with the secondary optical axis sothat the second electron detection device may receive the secondaryelectron beams, instead of the first electron detection device.

In step 730, the multi-beam electron beam tool detects the receivedsecondary electron beams using the second electron detection device,which generates corresponding electrical image signals in response tothe detected secondary electron beams.

In step 740, the multi-beam electron beam tool generates one or more ofbeam spot images of the secondary electron beams based on the electricalimage signal outputted by second electron detection device. In someembodiments, the second electron detection device is connected to acontroller (such as controller 50 in FIG. 1B), which may comprise animage processing system that is configured to generate the beam spotimages of the secondary electron beams based on the image signals fromthe second electron detection device.

In step 750, the multi-beam electron beam tool determines the alignmentcharacteristics of secondary electron beams associated with the firstelectron detection device. In some embodiments, this determination maybe automatically performed by the multi-beam electron beam tool (e.g.,by the controller). In other embodiments, this determination may beperformed manually by an operator of the multi-beam electron beam tool.

The embodiments may further be described using the following clauses:

-   -   1. A charged particle beam apparatus for inspecting a wafer,        comprising:        -   a first electron detection device to detect a plurality of            secondary electron beams for inspection of the wafer; and        -   a second electron detection device to generate one or more            images of one or more beam spots of the plurality of            secondary electron beams, wherein the second electron            detection device is configured to be used to determine an            alignment characteristic associated with the first electron            detection device.    -   2. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the alignment        characteristic associated with the first electron detection        device comprises a characteristic of one or more of the        plurality of secondary electron beams related to alignment of        the one or more of the plurality of secondary electron beams        with the first electron detection device.    -   3. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 and 2, further        comprising a secondary projection system to project the        plurality of secondary electron beams onto a detection surface        of the first electron detection device or a detection surface of        the second electron detection device.    -   4. The apparatus of clause 3, wherein the secondary projection        system is aligned with a secondary optical axis.    -   5. The apparatus of clause 4, wherein the secondary projection        system projects the plurality of secondary electron beams onto        the detection surface of the first electron detection device in        an inspection mode and onto the detection surface of the second        electron detection device in an alignment mode.    -   6. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 5, further        comprising a controller including circuitry to determine, based        on the one or more images of the one or more beam spots of the        plurality of secondary electron beams, the alignment        characteristic associated with the first electron detection        device.    -   7. The apparatus of clause 6, wherein the controller includes        circuitry to provide a user interface for a user to adjust a        configuration of the secondary projection system to calibrate        alignment of the one or more of the plurality of secondary        electron beams with the first electron detection device, based        on the determined alignment characteristic.    -   8. The apparatus of clause 6, wherein the controller includes        circuitry to automatically adjust a configuration of the        secondary projection system to calibrate alignment of the one or        more of the plurality of secondary electron beams with the first        electron detection device, based on the determined alignment        characteristic.    -   9. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the        alignment characteristic comprises a focus quality of the one or        more beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams.    -   10. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the        second electron detection device comprises:        -   an electron-to-light conversion unit configured to convert            the plurality of secondary electron beams to a plurality of            light beams, and        -   an optical camera to produce the one or more images of the            one or more beam spots of the plurality of secondary            electron beams based on the plurality of light beams    -   11. The apparatus of clause 10, wherein the second electron        detection device further comprises a mirror to direct the        plurality of light beams to the optical camera.    -   12. The apparatus of any one of clauses 10 and 11, wherein the        electron-to-light conversion unit includes a scintillator.    -   13. The apparatus of any one of clauses 10 to 12, wherein the        optical camera includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor or        a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.    -   14. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the        second electron detection device comprises a direct detection        device (DDD) to produce the one or more images of the one or        more beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams.    -   15. The apparatus of clause 14, wherein the direct detection        device includes a CMOS sensor configured to directly detect the        plurality of secondary electron beams and to generate a        corresponding electric signal.    -   16. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the        second electron detection device is configured to move relative        to the first electron detection device.    -   17. The apparatus of clause 16, wherein the second electron        detection device is further configured to:        -   move in a first direction, in preparation for the alignment            mode, so that the second electron detection device receives            the plurality of secondary electron beams, and        -   move in a second direction, in preparation for the            inspection mode, so that the first electron detection device            receives the plurality of secondary electron beams.    -   18. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the        first electron detection device is configured to move relative        to the second electron detection device.    -   19. The apparatus of clause 18, wherein the first electron        detection device is further configured to:        -   move in a first direction, in preparation for the inspection            mode, so that the first electron detection device receives            the plurality of secondary electron beams, and        -   move in a second direction, in preparation for the alignment            mode, so that the second electron detection device receives            the plurality of secondary electron beams.    -   20. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the        first electron detection device and the second electron        detection device are positioned side-by-side and are configured        to move together.    -   21. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the        first electron detection device and the second electron        detection device are positioned relative to a rotation axis and        are configured to rotate around the rotation axis together for        switching between an inspection mode and an alignment mode.    -   22. The apparatus of any one of clauses 20 and 21, wherein the        first electron detection device is configured to receive the        plurality of secondary electron beams in an inspection mode, and        the second electron detection device is configured to receive        the plurality of secondary electron beams in an alignment mode.    -   23. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 15, further        comprising a deflector to direct the plurality of secondary        electron beams to the second electron detection device in an        alignment mode.    -   24. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 23, wherein the        detection surface of the first electron detection device is        substantially located on a first plane and the detection surface        of the second electron detection device is substantially located        on a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane are        parallel.    -   25. A method of inspecting a wafer using a charged particle beam        system with a secondary projection system to project a plurality        of secondary electron beams onto a detection surface of a first        electron detection device, the method comprising:        -   generating one or more images of one or more beam spots of            the plurality of secondary electron beams using a second            electron detection device; and        -   determining an alignment characteristic associated with the            first electron detection device based on the one or more            images of the one or more beam spots of the plurality of            secondary electron beams.    -   26. The method of clause 25, further comprising determining,        using a controller, the determined alignment characteristic        associated with the first electron detection device based on the        one or more images of the one or more beam spots of the        plurality of secondary electron beams    -   27. The method of clause 26, further comprising providing, using        the controller, a user interface for a user to adjust        configurations of the secondary projection system to calibrate        alignment of the one or more of the plurality of secondary        electron beams with the first electron detection device, based        on the determined alignment characteristic.    -   28. The method of clause 26, further comprising automatically        adjusting, using the controller, configurations of the secondary        projection system to calibrate alignment of the one or more of        the plurality of secondary electron beams associated with the        first electron detection device, based on the determined        alignment characteristic.    -   29. The method of any one of clauses 25 to 28, wherein the        alignment characteristic comprises a focus quality of the one or        more beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams.    -   30. The method of any one of clauses 29, wherein automatically        adjusting comprises adjusting the configurations of the        secondary projection system to calibrate the focus quality of        the one or more beam spots of the plurality of secondary        electron beams.    -   31. The method of any clauses 25 to 30, further comprising        moving the second electron detection device relative to the        first electron detection device to enable the second electron        detection device to receive the plurality of secondary electron        beams during an alignment mode, and to enable the first electron        detection device to receive the plurality of secondary electron        beams during an inspection mode.    -   32. The method of any clauses 25 to 30, further comprising        moving the first electron detection device relative to the        second electron detection device to enable the second electron        detection device to receive the plurality of secondary electron        beams during an alignment mode, and to enable the first electron        detection device to receive the plurality of secondary electron        beams during an inspection mode.    -   33. The method of any clauses 25 to 30, further comprising        moving the first electron detection device and the second        electron detection device together to enable the second electron        detection device to receive the plurality of secondary electron        beams during an alignment mode, and to enable the first electron        detection device to receive the plurality of secondary electron        beams during an inspection mode.    -   34. The method of any clauses 25 to 30, further comprising        rotating the first electron detection device and the second        electron detection device together around a rotation axis to        enable the second electron detection device to receive the        plurality of secondary electron beams during an alignment mode,        and to enable the first electron detection device to receive the        plurality of secondary electron beams during an inspection mode.    -   35. The method of any clauses 25 to 30, further comprising        directing, using a deflector, the plurality of secondary        electron beams to the second electron detection device in an        alignment mode.    -   36. The method of any one of clauses 25 to 35, wherein the first        electron detection device is configured to receive the plurality        of secondary electron beams in the inspection mode, and the        second electron detection device is configured to receive the        plurality of secondary electron beams in the alignment mode.    -   37. The method of any one of clauses 25 to 36, wherein the        detection surface of the first electron detection device is        substantially located on a first plane and the detection surface        of the second electron detection device is substantially located        on a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane are        parallel.

It is appreciated that the multi-beam electron beam tool may usesoftware to perform the functionality described above. For example, themulti-beam electron beam tool may perform image processing to generatethe beam spot images of the received secondary electron beams. Also, themulti-beam electron beam tool may also perform software functions toautomatically determine the alignment characteristics of secondaryelectron beams associated with the first electron detection device.Furthermore, the multi-beam electron beam tool may control and adjust aconfiguration of the secondary projection system (e.g., secondaryprojection system 150 of FIG. 2B) to calibrate the alignment of thesecondary electron beams with respect to the first electron detectiondevice. The software may be stored on a non-transitory computer readablemedium. Common forms of non-transitory media include, for example, afloppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetictape, or any other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any otheroptical data storage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes,a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, cloud storage, a FLASH-EPROM or any otherflash memory, NVRAM, a cache, a register, any other memory chip orcartridge, and networked versions of the same.

Although the disclosed embodiments have been explained in relation toits preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that othermodifications and variation can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the subject matter as hereafter claimed.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A charged particle beam apparatus for inspecting awafer, comprising: a first electron detection device to detect aplurality of secondary electron beams for inspection of the wafer in aninspection mode; and a second electron detection device to generate oneor more images of multiple beam spots of the plurality of secondaryelectron beams in an alignment mode, wherein the second electrondetection device is configured to be used to determine an alignmentcharacteristic associated with the first electron detection device basedon sizes and shapes of the multiple beam spots of the plurality ofsecondary electron beams, and wherein the second electron detectiondevice is configured to receive the plurality of secondary electronbeams in the alignment mode.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein thesecond electron detection device is configured to receive the pluralityof secondary electron beams in the alignment mode by: moving the firstelectron detection device from a first position to a second position,the first electron detection device having been positioned in the firstposition when in the inspection mode; or changing a direction of theplurality of secondary electron beams.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the alignment characteristic associated with the first electrondetection device comprises a characteristic of one or more of theplurality of secondary electron beams related to alignment of the one ormore of the plurality of secondary electron beams with the firstelectron detection device.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising a secondary projection system to project the plurality ofsecondary electron beams onto a detection surface of the first electrondetection device or a detection surface of the second electron detectiondevice.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the secondary projectionsystem is aligned with a secondary optical axis.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 20, wherein the secondary projection system projects the pluralityof secondary electron beams onto the detection surface of the firstelectron detection device in the inspection mode and onto the detectionsurface of the second electron detection device in the alignment mode.22. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a controller includingcircuitry to determine, based on the one or more images of the multiplebeam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams, the alignmentcharacteristic associated with the first electron detection device. 23.The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the controller includes circuitry toprovide a user interface for a user to adjust a configuration of asecondary projection system to calibrate alignment of the one or more ofthe plurality of secondary electron beams with the first electrondetection device, based on the determined alignment characteristic. 24.The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the controller includes circuitry toautomatically adjust a configuration of a secondary projection system tocalibrate alignment of the one or more of the plurality of secondaryelectron beams with the first electron detection device, based on thedetermined alignment characteristic.
 25. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the alignment characteristic comprises a focus quality of themultiple beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams. 26.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second electron detection devicecomprises: an electron-to-light conversion unit configured to convertthe plurality of secondary electron beams to a plurality of light beams,and an optical camera to produce the one or more images of the multiplebeam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams based on theplurality of light beams.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein thesecond electron detection device further comprises a mirror to directthe plurality of light beams to the optical camera.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the electron-to-light conversion unit includes ascintillator.
 29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the optical cameraincludes a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor.
 30. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the second electron detection device comprises a directdetection device (DDD) to produce the one or more images of the multiplebeam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams.
 31. Anon-transitory computer readable medium that stores a set ofinstructions that is executable by at least one processor of a computingdevice to cause the computing device to perform operations forinspecting a wafer using a charged particle beam system with a secondaryprojection system to project a plurality of secondary electron beamsonto a detection surface of a first electron detection device, theoperations comprising: instructing the charged particle beam system toproject the plurality of secondary electron beams to be received by asecond electron detection device; acquiring one or more images ofmultiple beam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams usingthe second electron detection device; and determining an alignmentcharacteristic associated with the first electron detection device basedon sizes and shapes of the multiple beam spots of the plurality ofsecondary electron beams.
 32. The computer readable medium of claim 31,wherein the operations further comprising: instructing the chargedparticle beam system to move the first electron detection device from afirst position to a second position before projecting the plurality ofsecondary electron beams to be received by the second electron detectiondevice, the first electron detection device having been positioned inthe first position when the plurality of secondary electron beams areprojected onto the detection surface of the first electron detectiondevice, or changing a direction of the plurality of secondary electronbeams.
 33. The computer readable medium of claim 31, wherein operationsfurther comprising: providing a user interface for a user to adjust aconfiguration of the secondary projection system to calibrate alignmentof the one or more of the plurality of secondary electron beams with thefirst electron detection device, based on the determined alignmentcharacteristic.
 34. The computer readable medium of claim 31, whereinthe operations further comprising: automatically adjusting aconfiguration of the secondary projection system to calibrate alignmentof the one or more of the plurality of secondary electron beams with thefirst electron detection device, based on the determined alignmentcharacteristic.
 35. The computer readable medium of claim 31, whereinthe alignment characteristic comprises a focus quality of one or morebeam spots of the plurality of secondary electron beams.